Allenby ahead in Australia
Robert Allenby moved four strokes clear of the field after recording an even-par 72 in the second round of the Australian Open in hot and windy conditions at Moonah Links near Melbourne.
The 34-year-old played a steady hand while many around him struggled to deal with the elements and he heads into the weekend on nine under, well ahead of world number eight Adam Scott, who carded a 73 to drop back to five under.
Rod Pampling, Aaron Baddeley and Nathan Green all shot 70 to finish four under, alongside John Senden (71) and Paul Sheehan (71).
Overnight leader Allenby was one over to the turn after a birdie at the eighth either side of two bogeys but he grabbed another stroke back at the 10th.
While the local favourite managed another birdie at the 16th he gave up the opportunity of a greater lead by bogeying the 17th and missing a birdie putt at the last.
“I was very happy with the way I controlled the ball pretty much all day,” he said.
“There were just a few loose shots in there but, that’s going to happen in those conditions.”
Scott was out in 35 after dropping a stroke at the ninth, undoing some of his good work which brought birdies at the second and seventh holes.
He then fell back to level par for the day at the 11th and gave back another at the 16th.
David McKenzie shot the lowest score of the day, a five-under 67 while defending champion Peter Lonard’s even-par 72 saw him finish the day on two over.
Ireland’s Eddie Barr missed the cut – which fell at five over – by a stroke after signing for a 77, and he was one shot ahead of Scotland’s Jack Doherty (78).
Northern Ireland amateur Rory McIlroy carded a 79 to close eight over, while Scot Eric Ramsay, the second-highest leading amateur at this year’s Open, shot a 79 to finish 11 over.
The hot sun and wind made a number almost unplayable and tournament officials made the unusual decision to ‘syringe’ (lightly water) the 12th green midway through the afternoon.
Western Australian Stephen Leaney was among the players who struggled on the greens and after carding a 74 to go with his opening 78 he refused to sign his card and was disqualified.
